New Windows 11 Build 25992 – New Taskbar Layout, New Compress Formats, File Explorer, Fixes (Canary)

In this article, we will talk about the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build for the Canary Channel, which is Build 25992.

SMB Changes

Starting with this build (Build 25992), Microsoft is introducing the following Server Message Block (SMB) protocol changes: SMB firewall rule changes, SMB NTLM blocking exception list, SMB alternative client and server ports, SMB over QUIC client access control certificate changes.

More info about these can be found in this article from the Microsoft Blog.

File Explorer Changes

• Did some work that should help noticeably improve the performance of opening large .zip files in File Explorer.
• Microsoft added support for creating 7-zip and TAR archives in addition to ZIP.

• Windows will now show suggestions in Snap Layouts that help you instantly snap multiple app windows together. When hovering over the Minimize or Maximize button on an app (or WIN + Z) to launch the layout box, you will see app icons displayed in various layout options to help recommend the best layout option that works best.  

• Build 25992, includes the fix for the thin line under the active tab in File Explorer at scaling values of 125% or greater.

Thanks to PhantomOcean3 for discovering this.

Copilot in Windows

Moving the Copilot taskbar button to the system tray instead of having it next to the other system icons (Start, search, Task View) is being tested in build 25992.

Thanks to PhantomOcean3 for discovering this.

Settings Improvement

Build 25992 includes a slightly updated Microphone test section in Settings > System > Sound > (device) Properties.

Thanks to PhantomOcean3 for discovering this.

Snipping Tool App Update

Microsoft is rolling out Snipping Tool (version 11.2310.49.0) to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels improving HDR display support. Screenshots and screen recording on displays with HDR enabled should be able to better display colors.

Fixes in this Build

• We fixed the issue causing blank options to show on the Personalization and Privacy & Security settings pages, where if clicked on it would crash Settings.
• Fixed an issue causing the context menu to draw off screen when invoked using touch or pen on the side of your desktop.
• Fixed an issue where Settings Home might show a prompt to sign into your Microsoft account, and fail to sign in if you tried to use it, even though Settings itself showed you were already signed in.
• If you were experiencing Quick Settings crashes and WIN + A not working in the previous flight, that should be resolved now.
• Fixed an issue that was causing taskbar icons to disappear after switching desktops.

Known Issue in this Build

• [NEW] Attempting to navigate to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Touchpad on this build will crash Settings.

For more information about this Build, you can check this article from the Microsoft Blog.

For a more in-depth presentation of the New Build, you can watch the video below from the YouTube channel.